I've been using an ASUS ROG Strix G16 notebook for about two years for schoolwork, mainly Revit and AutoCAD. Recently it has become painfully slow all the time, and the display sometimes flickers or shakes. I haven't found any viruses, and Windows and the hardware drivers are up to date. The CPU is only around 4% usage, but its temperature is close to 90°C. What should I check to figure out what's causing the performance problems?
3 Answers
That temperature strongly suggests a cooling problem. Dust buildup in the vents or fans, a failing fan, or dried-out thermal paste can cause the processor to overheat even when usage is low. When the laptop gets too hot, it reduces its clock speed to protect itself, which makes programs like Revit feel extremely slow. Check that the intake and exhaust vents are clear, listen for unusual fan behavior, and monitor the CPU temperature while idle and under load. Cleaning the fans may help, but avoid blocking the vents or using the laptop on a soft surface.
Since it’s a notebook, confirm the exact configuration and whether it is using the dedicated graphics processor. The ROG Strix G16 should normally have a separate GPU, and Revit or AutoCAD may perform poorly if they are running on integrated graphics. Also test it while plugged in, set the manufacturer’s performance profile appropriately, and check Task Manager for GPU, memory, disk, and temperature usage. Display flickering could also point to a graphics driver, cable, or hardware issue rather than just a slow CPU.
A CPU sitting near 90°C at only 4% usage is not typical for an idle laptop. Check which process is actually keeping the processor warm, make sure the fans are spinning, and look for a background service that may not show obvious overall CPU usage. If temperatures remain that high after cleaning and changing the power profile, have the cooling system inspected and consider replacing the thermal paste. Continuing to run demanding applications while it overheats can worsen the problem.
If cleaning the vents doesn’t fix it, what else should I check?